Change of Schedule (Add/Drop)

Op3.04-10 Change of Schedule (Add/Drop)

Policy 
Below are policies related to adding a class, dropping a class, section changes, and exceptions. Refer to the Procedures for Adding and Dropping Classes for more information on how to add or drop a class, or withdraw from the University (drop all classes). 

Adding a class 
Classes may be added prior to the beginning of the semester and during the Change of Schedule Period (from the first day of classes through the end of the 100%refund period). Classes which have not yet begun (e.g., second block courses, short courses, independent study, etc.) may be added after the Change of Schedule Period has ended. 

Dropping a class 
Dropping all classes is considered a “withdrawal from the University.” Refer to Procedures for Adding and Dropping Classes for more information. 

Classes dropped prior to the end of the Change of Schedule period will not appear on the transcript. Classes may be dropped with a “W” grade from the end of the Change of Schedule period until four weeks prior to the last day of full semester classes, after which time students may not drop. For all classes with a different duration than a full semester, the relevant deadlines can be found in the Drop and Refund page. A “W” grade indicates the student withdrew from the course without academic penalty. 

Students who plan to drop a class in which academic dishonesty has alleged to have occurred should first refer to the Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures. 

Students who have a registration hold can drop a class or classes by requesting a drop via the Drop With a Registration Hold Request Form found on the Holds and Add or Drop Classes links of My Missouri State. 

Students are expected to complete all registered courses. Failure to properly drop classes will result in the assignment of F grades for those classes, as well as a continued financial obligation for any unpaid tuition charges for those classes. For more information, see the “Exceptions to the Required Student Fees Refund Policy” section of the fee resolution. 

Section changes 
As stated in the Fee Schedule, students may drop a section and add a different section of the same course during the same part of term and receive an even exchange of fees, provided the section add and drop were processed during the same transaction. Students who drop and add a section in the same course, but in a different part of term do not qualify for this fee exchange. Students who drop a special topics course and add the same course but with a different topic do not qualify for this fee exchange. 

Exceptions to the policy 
Exceptions to allow a drop after the stated deadline to drop a class are issued to students who have an overwhelming, unforeseen circumstance (e.g., personal medical condition, catastrophic loss) which significantly interferes with the ability to meet the academic commitments of the class or circumstances that interfere with the ability to drop the class before the deadline. In order to be considered for a request for an exception to the drop date, the student must provide appropriate documentation as early as possible but no later than the last day of the class the student is requesting to drop. 
Examples of acceptable documentation regarding personal illness include: 

• A letter from the student’s appropriate health care provider describing the student’s health problem, how it was unforeseen before the drop deadline, and how it interferes with successful completion of the semester. The letter should include a recommendation that the student be granted an exception to the drop deadline from the date of the onset of the health problem. Medical visit dates should be listed. 
• Records of hospitalization or treatment related to the specific health condition(s) (inpatient and/or outpatient). 
• Any other pertinent information that supports how the student’s acute health condition(s) interfered with the ability to meet academic commitments. 

Copies of medical bills are not sufficient documentation to support an exception to the drop deadline. 

Examples of acceptable documentation for other situations include: 

• Copy of obituary or funeral program. 
• Letter of support from a family member. 
• Formal record confirming circumstance of disaster. 

Documentation must provide a date (or dates) that can confirm the time-frame for which the appeal has been submitted. 

Students who are approved to have a class or classes dropped because of documented extenuating circumstances after the last day to drop, will receive a “W” in the dropped courses and may appeal for a prorated/partial refund for tuition and room and board (upon proper checkout), but not for nonrefundable fees or charges. 

Requests for exceptions to the drop deadline will be considered by a committee appointed by the Provost, including the Dean of Students and Registrar (or their appointed designees). Final appeals may also be considered by the Provost or President of the University.